Long but productive day

[Sailorsong]

Today I had my appointment with the new PCP at the VA. Overall it was a pretty good day for me with the only real complaint being that every one at the VA seemed to be talking real soft. I had to constantly ask every one to repeat just about everything they said to me.

My BP was high when I first got there, but by the time my doctor retook it it had come down a fair amount...So this time she believed I was taking my BP meds. She adjusted my one BP med ( just officially as it had been increased prior to this by a LPN). so when I get low on it I'll be able to get a refill. I also got her to give me a new script of my Hydrocodone which is a life saver for when I get TN. Knocks me out real quick so that I can sleep through the pain. She also considered increasing another of my BP meds, but decided against that as my pulse is getting down to 58 as it is.

Now comes the good part. I talked to her about the problems I have been having in taking care of myself. Things like showers, doing dishes, etc. So she submitted a referral to the Physical Therapy Dept ( she wasn't sure where to send me) to come up with some stuff to help me out. So I ended up in both the PT department as well as the occupational therapy depart.  The PT department gave me a walker with a seat to help me with things like doing dishes ( So I can sit while doing them) and the OT department gave me a seat for my shower, and a few other things to aid me with clothing tasks, picking things up, etc. I haven't tried out any of them yet since I got home as I am too tired after spending 4 hours at the VA.

My PCP also put in a request for the Neurology Dept to get me in sooner than my scheduled appointment for Nov. because I told her about how I am getting worse despite the medications I am on. Hopefully I will find out about that soon.

One thing that did get a small chuckle out of me happened when I was going from the first floor to the third floor. of the hospital. I had also talked to my PCP about how I keep getting lumps forming under the skin of my forearms that will itch like crazy.  This is one area I worry about a lot because my brother got skin cancer many years ago. She checked my arms out and decided there were no spots of concern and said it was probably something neurological going on ( one of the reasons she did the request). Anyway after the appointment I headed up to the PT department on the 3rd floor, but somehow I ended up getting off on the second floor.  I am sure I pressed the button for the 3rd, and no one got on or off on the 2nd floor except me. But the funny part was the sign right in front of the elevator was pointing to the oncology department. Make you kind of go Hmmmm since I had never been on the second floor before and had no idea that oncology was located there. Is someone trying to tell me something? :)

Dennis

[Ufrustrated2]

>>While I do consider a lot of my care and that of others at the VA to be substandard the OT and PT departments don't seem to be departments that fall into that category from what I have seen.

i'll chime in. may be OT but i'm messed up in the head

no doctor at the VA has acknowledged ANY of the non-VA pos objective MS tests or MS diagnosis - not yet anyways

the ROI(biz office) has yet to scan ANY  of the non-VA pos objective MS tests or MS diagnosis into my digital VA med record. they sit in a folder on the shelf. i'm told they have plans to get them into the computer system.

now you have thousands of troops coming home soon. anyone think the health rationing is going to get better or worse?

[Sailorsong]

Sarah,

   The VA hospital doesn't have a maternity ward so that couldn't of happened. It isn't like I thought I might have cancer after all with the side trip, just a funny coincidence that I would end up at that department.

Lulu,

   They did go over ways to save energy while I was there. I already have been using all of the things the guy told me about to conserve energy. The guy in OT gave me his card and told me if there was anything else I had questions about to give him a call and he would see to it that I got back in to see him.

Sumanadevi,

   They didn't give me an electric scooter because I didn't ask about one. I'm not to the point that I need one yet, and hopefully won't be for quite a while. There were a lot of things they offered that I turned down because I don't need them or they seemed like it would take more effort to use than the way I currently do things. While I do consider a lot of my care and that of others at the VA to be substandard the OT and PT departments don't seem to be departments that fall into that category from what I have seen.

Dennis

[Sumanadevii]

To be honest?  I am disappointed in the level of care for you.  Why not an electric scooter?  I think they threw cheap candy at you.

It makes me sick with the billions poured into the VA system that so little goes to the men and women that soooo soooooo deserve it.

[Lulu54]

Dennis, it always makes me smile when I can read a post from your that includes some positive aciton from the VAsystem.  I will continue to hope they get you into neurology sooner than November.

Does OT or PT have you schedueld for more visits?  It might be helpful, especially the OT to help you learn new ways to conserve your energy.

hugs, L

[Sparkysarah]

Hi Dennis

I was going to send you a message as I had noticed you have not been around much lately and wondered if all was OK. It sounds like you had a productive day and that several positive things came out of it.

Hmmmm oncology department......nah..this was just coincidence so don't read anythng into it!!! It could have been the maternity unit..so what would you have thought then!!!!

Take care, love Sarah x